Does wearing two pairs of socks make you more comfortable while hiking? Better protection from blisters?
We often hear two voices:
Wearing two pairs of socks while hiking can help prevent blisters, control odor, keep your feet warm, and help wick moisture away from your feet.
Alternatively, wearing two pairs of socks may be too tight, make your feet too hot, or may not fit your hiking boots or shoes.
If you're hesitating to wear two pairs of socks on your next hike, or just one pair, here's what you need to know.
1. The main reason to wear two pairs of socks:
The biggest reason a hiker might want to wear two pairs of socks is to prevent blisters, and your feet will really appreciate the benefits.
Blisters occur when the skin on your feet rubs against shoes or socks for a long time. The more this chafing occurs, the more irritated your skin becomes. It will go from a little redness to blisters and even openness. Wound.
In some cases, even the best quality socks paired with the wrong shoes, got wet, or got sand in the shoes can cause blisters.
Because of this, some hikers will choose to wear a smaller, thinner pair of socks inside their regular hiking socks, adding this thin layer will help protect your feet from friction and blisters.
There are also specially lined socks that are specifically designed to reduce friction, they are generally five-toed socks so your toes don't have a chance to rub against each other.
Others opt for smooth, plain thin socks, while others wear super soft stockings or thin wool as sock linings.
2. How many people wear two pairs of socks while hiking?
While the number one reason hikers wear two pairs of socks is to prevent blisters, other reasons, including warmth or more cushioning, are also great for hiking.
Maybe you're curious about how many people actually wear two pairs of socks while hiking. A community of hikers abroad did a survey that ended up with 141 responses.
53% of hikers wear two pairs of socks, 46% wear one, and 1% wear none at all.
Of the 141 hikers in total, most chose to wear two pairs of socks while hiking.
The answer for most hikers who choose to wear a pair of socks is that with thick or stiff socks, there is no need to wear an extra pair.
3. Other reasons to wear two pairs of socks:
Not everyone experiences blisters while hiking, and those who aren't concerned about blisters choose to wear two pairs of socks for a few other reasons.
1. Warm feet:
If you enjoy hiking in cold weather (even snow), put on a second pair of socks to keep your feet warm.
But you also have to pay close attention to whether the socks get wet, and in cold weather sometimes moisture can seep in from the outside.
If you're in an extremely cold, wet climate, wet feet and wet socks will struggle to stay warm, so when you notice your socks are getting wet and cold, be sure to stop and change to dry socks to protect your feet.
Choosing a warm material, like thick wool, for your socks is also a great way to ensure your feet stay warm.
2. Enhance moisture absorption and perspiration:
With the right sock combination, better warmth and moisture wicking can be achieved.
These benefits are useful in cold weather to help draw sweat away from your feet and keep you warm and comfortable during your hikes.
To achieve this effect, be sure to use high-quality wool socks, as wool has the ability to absorb sweat and regulate temperature.
Typically, hikers use thick wool socks with a fleece lining as the inner layer, the fleece layer helps transfer sweat from the foot to the outer layer, while the inner layer focuses on adding warmth.
3. Make the shoes fit better:
In some cases, wearing two pairs of socks can resolve chafing caused by shoes that don't fit well.
If your shoes are too loose in certain areas, wearing two pairs of socks will give you a better fit and comfort.
4. More comfortable:
Wearing an extra layer of socks may not completely solve your foot pain, but it can provide more cushion for walking on hard rock surfaces.
More cushioning also means less shoe slippage, giving you better grip wherever you go.
If you're adding another pair of socks just for comfort, consider the type of socks you choose.
Some socks are only good for cold weather, and wearing thick socks during the hot months may actually increase foot problems without making you more comfortable.
4. Is there a reason not to wear two pairs of socks?
There are also times when hikers choose not to wear two pairs of socks because one pair does the job just fine.
Often, they have found a brand or material of socks that will keep their feet warm and comfortable without having to wear another pair of socks.
There are several high-end hiking socks companies abroad that produce high-quality hiking socks, and many hikers wearing these brands of socks find that they only need one pair.
Because most of these socks are made from merino wool, they do a great job of regulating temperature and wicking away moisture.
These brands also offer socks in a variety of weights and thicknesses so you can adjust your socks for each hike.
5. How many pairs of socks should I bring when hiking?
Backpackers usually like to bring three pairs of socks so they can wear two during the day and a comfortable, clean pair at night.
However, the number of socks you carry with you depends entirely on several factors:
1. How long will the hike take?
Assuming the weather isn't too wet and your hike is only a day at most, you don't even need to bring any extra socks.
Of course, it's always a good idea to bring at least an extra pair of socks, just in case.
If you accidentally step your foot into a swamp or river, you'll have to walk on that wet foot for the rest of the time.
2. What will the weather be like?
In cold weather, you may need to wear an extra pair of socks. Wearing an extra layer of socks to keep the toes warm can be more warm and comfortable.
3. What will the environment be like?
Do you wade through water while hiking?
With extra socks in the pack, you can always change out the wet socks.
4. What kind of shoes do you wear?
Are you going to wear hiking shoes or hiking boots?
Hiking shoes may be more likely to let in rain or other forms of moisture.
At the same time, some hiking boots may not drain moisture well.
Both of these will affect the number of socks you should bring.
5. Are you going to wear two pairs of socks at the same time?
Wearing two pairs of socks at once can mean you're soiling both pairs at the same time, which also means that both pairs need to be replaced.
In this case, you may need to prepare several pairs of socks.
6. Do you mind smelly socks?
Socks smell after wearing for a long time.
It all depends on how much each hiker can withstand the smell, and some backpackers take this seriously and wash their socks every day.
Not all hikers choose to wear two pairs of socks, and not all outdoor shoes are suitable for two pairs of socks.
But, in general, wearing two pairs of socks is unlikely to cause damage to the feet, and some hikers just feel they don't need another pair.
In some cases, adding another pair of socks may actually cause foot discomfort.
As we mentioned before, two pairs of socks may help when your hiking shoes or boots are too large.
However, if your shoes are the right size, you may not have room for two pairs of socks, and your feet will feel cramped and sweat more.
No matter what weather you're hiking in, no matter how many pairs of socks you choose to wear, the most important thing is that you do your best to keep your feet comfortable.